Word Origin & History

native late 14c., from O.Fr. natif (fem. native), from L. nativus "innate, produced by birth," from natus, pp. of nasci (Old L. gnasci) "be born," related to gignere "beget," from PIE base *gen-/*gn- "produce" (see genus). The noun is mid-15c., originally meaning "person born in bondage," later (1530s) "person who has always lived in a place." Applied from 1650s to original inhabitants of non-European nations where Europeans hold political power; hence, used contemptuously of "the locals" from 1800.

Example Sentences for native

Would you not like to be buried with regal honour, in your native Clazomenæ?

Further, the native who gave all the information to Mr. Monger was one of our party.

In most parts of Mesopotamia it was understood as readily as the native tongue.

There was, however, one exception, and that was his friend Windich (native).

Windich found a native spring about a mile to the North-East.

Looking round, I saw a native running along about 300 yards from me.

So he lived and so he died, the most revered and the happiest man in all his native shire.

Even my young French companion was stared at, just because she was not a native of the place.

Zegarra, as a native of Peru whose language was Quichua, had great advantages.

The early part of his existence was spent with his grandparents in his native place.